Private Arthur Stafford CARPENTER
19 Aug 1917 – 18 Nov 1944
Arthur Stafford CARPENTER was born on 19th August 1917 at Renmark to John Herbert and Dora Carpenter, of Ramco. Arthur was one of three brothers from this family (with Jack and Robert) to serve in the 2nd Australian Infantry Force. He also had a sister. Arthur enlisted in the 2nd Australian Infantry Force 18 September 1941 at Rockhampton. He had been living and working in Blackall, Queensland.
He was posted to 2/26th battalion (reinforcements section) in Singapore. Arthur arrived and joined the battalion strength and a few weeks later, the garrison commander of Singapore surrendered, on 15th February 1942, meaning that Arthur and his mates were now Prisoners of War of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Arthur was in the dreaded Changi prison, and originally his family believed he was “Missing in Action”. In August 1942 Arthur was able to send a postcard to home telling them that he was a POW and was in good health and spirits. Arthur never contacted his family again, after two more long years in terrible conditions, Arthur contracted Melanotic Carcinoma and on November 18, 1944 he died, still in the Changi Prison camp.
Arthur is interred in the Kranji War Cemetery and is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial on the Roll of Honour. He is also commemorated at Blackall War Memorial.
Arthur is also commemorated with a tree and plaque here in the WAIKERIE War Memorial Gardens.
